March 2012 Notable Toys — Electronics

littleBits is a system of modular electronics that snap together with tiny magnets for prototyping and play. The littleBits starter kit is the first kit by littleBits and contains all you need to get started within seconds. Each bit has a simple, unique function (light, sound, sensors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. With a growing number of available modules, littleBits aims to put the power of engineers in the hands of artists, makers and children. Included in the kit are 10 color coded modules (power, input, output, and wire) that snap together magnetically to create larger circuits, guaranteed to keep kids occupied for hours. Comes packaged in an attractive case with a magnetic closure and includes an instruction sheet, 9v battery and a custom plastic screwdriver. 

This tablet features a 7-inch color touchscreen, can can download movies, musics, apps, and e-books. The tablet boasts web-browsing capabilities, and parents have the ability to limit content and websites of their choice. Downloaded content can be stored on an SD card, or to embedded memory. Launch date: 2012.

This Barbie has a 5 megapixel camera and LED encase in her chest. When kids snap a picture, it appears on Barbie's t-shirt (the LED screen). This rechargeable Barbie can hold up to 100 pictures, and features 15 different effects to alter the photographs. To upload pictures to a computer, simply hook Barbie up via the mini USB port in her back. Launch date: 2012.

Regal Elite launches its new "Glove Force" technology, which allows users to direct their 'copters by turning their wrists left or right, with the help of a small thumb-controlled throttle. Launch date: Spring 2012.

Using a digital stylus, kids can draw on this dome using light. Simply select the thickness of the line to be drawn, and choose from one of eight colors. Kids can also play games on the dome, like mazes, connect the dots, and more. Launch date: September 2012.

Yippits are pets for Fijit Friends. The Yippits can learn tricks, and bark, growl, and dance along with their Fijit owner. They can work on their own, too. Launch date: June 2012.

With the simple press of the button, these robots go from car to Transformer. Choose from Bumblebee or Knockout. Launch date: Fall 2012.

Features 4 modes, Smartphone control mode, maze navigation mode with infrared obstacle detection and demo mode and battle mode. Recharged from USB port by integrated USB flip out USB connector. Fast and furious control using a Smartphone for drift and power slide maneuvers. Shoot at an other Carbots and hear the machine gun sound as your phone vibrates and your opponent. Carbot does spins and swerves from side to side. Shipped with dual transmitter iDesk Pet Universal Remote Control Smartphone adapter (Android and iOS) for increased control distance. Each Carbot three different user selectable frequencies (A,B,C) allowing for up to three Carbots to race and battle. Launch date: August 2012.
— "This little guy not only runs rings around their TankBot from earlier, but continues to give you the choice of autonomous control or letting your smartphone (iPhone/Android) take the lead as to where it can go and how it’s going to get there...the little guy moves so fast (good set of wheels working) that I started to run after it at one point...the CarBot is an affordable cool little RC vehicle that you can control or let go off on its own. The battery lasts for plenty of time before a quick USB recharge is needed too." - Review and 4.5 star rating from Marshal Rosenthal at GadgetReview.com.

The Kurio is a 7 inch children's tablet that runs on an Android OS. Techno Source has developed a kid-friendly user interface for the tablet, which boasts HD video playback capabilities, 4 GB of storage, Wi-Fi, and comes with apps like games, an e-book reader, a music player, and more. Launch date: 2012.

Hot Wheels Apptivity™ lets kids take a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels car and race through three exciting game modes. Launch date: May 2012.

The Laugh & Learn™ Apptivity™ Monkey is an interactive plush learning toy for babies that also lets them enjoy their very own apps on mom or dad’s iPhone® or iPod® touch device. Toddlers can squeeze monkey's hands and feet to interact with the app, which teaches baby about colors, numbers, animals and much more. Launch date: May 2012.

Kids can learn about colors, quantities, observation skill and more with Arthur’s Little TV. One infra-red remote and 4 double sided scene cards + 1 default scene card for 9 total fun scenes to interact with. Insert card into TV and start playing with fun discover and questions about each scene. Touch one of 6 Arthur characters on the remote to answer. Launch Date:  September 2012.

Battleship zAPPed is inspired by the Universal Pictures movie and uses the screen as the playing surface. Once ship pawns are placed on the screen, the iPad will automatically recognize which pawns are in play and when they are moved. Launch date: September 2012.

In this app-gameboard hybrid, the app handles all of the banking transactions. It also turns the Chance and Community Chest cards into mini games that affect the player’s progress. Launch date: June 2012.

Download a free app to begin playing this update of the classic game Life. The app syncs with each player’s turn on the game board and shows appropriate clips from Vin Di Bona’s America’s Funniest Videos and humorous animations as they travel around the game board. Additionally, players can create their own “Peg Person” avatar and use the app’s virtual spinner on their iPad. Includes game board, 4 car movers, 52 pegs, money pack, 4 rubber pads, Quick Start Guide. iPad not included but required to play the game. For 2 to 4 Players. Launch date: February 10, 2012.

GameChanger is an electronic, multiplayer game board that works with the iPad.  Featuring interactive animation and sound, GameChanger adds a whole new dimension to the traditional board game by creating a different experience every time you play. Kids are given the option of playing 6 different games; The Magic School Bus® from Scholastic or Animal Mania, plus 4 action games. The iPad simply slides into the GameChanger cradle, and one of the included game skins can be placed on top of the board.  Parents can download the App, which is free with GameChanger purchase. The game pieces themselves interact with the iPad, which asks questions and assigns tasks, so players always know whose turn it is. A “spin” of the wheel on the iPad lets players move their pawn across the game board. Since the game board and the iPad are connected, all game play is completely guided and tracked. Launch date: February 12, 2012.

Two of boys' most popular toys - dinosaurs and vehicles - have been brought together to create a unique 2-in-1 play experience with VTech's Switch & Go Dinos. Each toy transforms from a dinosaur to a vehicle and back again in a few simple steps. Each comes equipped with an LCD screen for customized animation, dinosaur and vehicle sound effects and educational dinosaur facts. The line features seven unique and collectible dinosaur toys. Launch date: February 10, 2012.
— As of 10/30/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 43 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; easy for kids to make the transformation happen; sounds change between dinosaur noises and car noises, depending on which form the toy is in. Cons: One reviewer said the toy was too noisy.

The HEXBUG Nano Zip Line Starter Set unlocks new possibilities and nearly endless heights for the Nano to explore. Once the set is built, each daredevil Nano bug can bravely scurry up the curvy spiral ramp where it will connect to the zip line with the help of its custom-fit “backpack”, and soar down to the lower-level cul-de-sac where it preps to do it all over again. In addition to serving as the perfect starter kit for first time Nano owners, this set makes a great connecting piece that can bridge the gap between any other existing habitat sets, enabling children to customize and create the ultimate playground for their HEXBUG Nano to traverse. The HEXBUG Nano Zip Line Starter Set includes 23 easy-connect pieces and one extremely rare Nano mutation with removable zip line backpack. Launch date: 2012.

The HEXBUG® Scarab is an exceptionally high-speed, mechanical, beetle-like robotic bug that skitters around on six angled legs. The high energy micro robotic creature propels itself forwards and backwards, and is capable of popping from its back to its feet if placed upside down. The Scarab’s lifelike behavior is eerily mesmerizing to watch and interact with. Packed with advanced design and engineering, each Scarab has an inner body loaded with robotic intelligence, protected by a hard, transparent exoskeleton casing. The HEXBUG Scarab moves so frenetically that it is nearly impossible to follow without a slow motion camera. The combination of the HEXBUG Scarab’s six specially designed angular legs, coupled with its lightning speed, make it easy to for it to propel against obstacles in its path and flip over if caught on its back. Three button cell batteries are included. Available in an assortment of five translucent colors including: Green, Blue, Orange, Black and Red. Launch date: November 2012.

MIMOMICRO™ can be used as a USB flash drive with interchangeable microSD memory cards, and also functions as a microSD card reader to transport data between mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras, and mp3 players to one's computer. "MIMOMICRO™ boasts three dimensional sculpted characters and the first in a series of vehicles. MIMOMICRO's cap-free design with flip-out USB plug also includes a built-in keychain and LED indicator light. Measuring a mere 1.6" H x 1.0" W in its compact form factor, MIMOMICRO™ lives up to its name," Clint Weiler, PR for mimoco llc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.

Descending from a long line of savage and warlike tribes, Wrexx lives his life for the fight. Wrexx is an unusually gifted warrior who can frequently score critical damage points, but he's also a bit fiery and unpredictable. Wrexx uses RF technology to communicate wirelessly with other Mechatars, including Alphas, Kodars, and other Wrexx. Wrexx lives in two worlds: Earth, and the Mechaverse. He evolves as he trains with other Mechatars and battles the Swarm, in the human world and in the Mechaverse (accessible via free online play). Wrexx continually develops new skills and capabilities for never-ending fun.

Light the way to early writing with Scribble & Write Children trace the lights to get practice drawing simple shapes and pictures, then graduate to learning upper- and lowercase letters with step-by-step guidance. Fun learning games help reinforce letter knowledge.
— As of 12/13/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 212 reviews on Amazon.com.

Old-school and new-school technology collide in this plug n' play portable speaker dock kids build themselves. Rock the house or take the show on the road. Kids learn basic electronics by investigating how speakers and amplification work. Docking station works with iPod, iTouch, and other audio devices. Launch date: September 2012.